Ahmad Bradshaw re-signs with Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts running back Ahmad Bradshaw (44) reacts after running for a 5 yard gain in the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park. The Colts defeated the 49ers 27-7. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Once considered a longshot to remain with the Indianapolis Colts, injury-prone running back Ahmad Bradshaw has re-signed with the team, per a league source close to Pro Football Talk. Unsurprisingly, PFT reports that the deal is for just one year, and it’s probably similar to the deal he signed last year with the Colts. A neck injury caused the 27-year-old to play in just three games last season, but he was pretty darn good in those three games with 186 rushing yards on 41 carries for an average of 4.5 yards per carry, including one game with 95 rushing yards.
It’s a shame that Bradshaw is never healthy, and my hope is for him to one day miraculously stop suffering from nagging and serious injuries alike and play 16 games in one season. If that ever happened, then Bradshaw would have an excellent year, because it’s clear that he’s a very talented back. Injuries are the only thing holding Bradshaw back from being a feature RB in this league, as he is fast, powerful, and is one of the league’s best all-around RBs with his pass-catching and pass protection. Back when he was healthy with the New York Giants, Bradshaw showed off all that talent in the 2010 season (as well as in 2011 and 2012, but 2010 was his benchmark).
Even though he is too injury-prone to trust as a feature back, he’s still a solid piece for the Colts, and I wonder how this deal affects Donald Brown’s chances of returning. Bradshaw figures to be the team’s No. 2 back when healthy in between Trent Richardson and Vick Ballard, and I don’t think we’ll see Brown back with the Colts rolling with Bradshaw on a one-year deal. He could return, but I don’t think it’s in the cards. It’s interesting to see that he was signed this early, but the Colts have been in talks with him for a bit of time now, and those talks have seemingly heated up. I want to see what his role will be next year, and I have a feeling Pep Hamilton is a big fan of his.